Refrigerator

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a refrigerator having a structure of a receptacle apparatus, which enables efficient utilization of a space for storing an object to be refrigerated or an object to be frozen, and a door or a cover which is for opening or closing the receptacle apparatus. Provided is a refrigerator, according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising: a first storage chamber provided above a cabinet; a second storage chamber positioned below the first storage chamber; a partition wall which is for partitioning the first storage chamber and second storage chamber vertically and of which the upper surface maintains a level position; an accommodation unit recessed downward from the upper side of the partition wall, forming a receptacle space and having an input port, into which an object to be stored is input, formed on the upper part thereof; an accommodation unit door provided so as to be movable in the direction parallel to the upper side of the partition wall and for selectively opening or closing the input port; and a position fixing unit provided on the rear of the accommodation unit door and for restraining the movement of the door when the accommodation unit door moves backward and opens the input port.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Stage Application under 35 U.S.C. §371 of PCT Application No. PCT/KR2016/011084, filed Oct. 4, 2016, whichclaims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0138978, filedOct. 2, 2015, whose entire disclosures are hereby incorporated byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularlyto a receiving unit configured to efficiently utilize space for storingobjects to be refrigerated or frozen and structures of a door and acover for opening and closing the receiving unit.

BACKGROUND ART

A refrigerator is an apparatus for storing storage objects (objects tobe refrigerated or frozen) received in a storage space in a refrigeratedor frozen state through a cycle constituted by compression,condensation, expansion and evaporation of refrigerant. In other words,a conventional refrigerator is provided with a storage space forreceiving storage objects and a heat exchange unit for absorbing heatfrom the air in the storage space so as to maintain the storage objectsdisposed in the storage space at a temperature lower than the ambienttemperature.

Because the volume of the storage space is restricted by the storagecapacity set for the refrigerator, designing the storage space to beefficiently utilized is one of the critical factors in the design of arefrigerator.

For efficient utilization of the storage space, a conventionalrefrigerator is provided therein not with a space for receiving storageobjects but with a drawer configured to be put into and taken out of thestorage space and shelves for supporting the storage objects.

Because the storage space provided in the refrigerator is partitioned bydrawers, shelves or the line in consideration of the volume of storageobjects, the number or the volume of receiving components (shelves,drawers and the like) capable of being mounted in the storage spacehaving the maximum volume, which is determined according to the capacityof the refrigerator, is inevitably restricted.

This means that some of the drawers and shelves have to be omitted, thevolume of the drawers has to be reduced, or the distance between theshelf and the drawer or the distance between the shelves has to bereduced in order to add additional receiving component space to thestorage space in the refrigerator. The reason for this is because, inorder to add a new receiving component, a portion of the storage spacehas to be used as a space required to accommodate installation of thereceiving component.

However, a change of design in which the number or the volume of drawersand shelves is reduced for installation of a new receiving component maycause a problem whereby the drawers or shelves cannot accommodate theamount of storage objects that is determined at the time of design,thereby decreasing storage efficiency.

In addition, because a change of design in which the number or thevolume of drawers and shelves is reduced for installation of a newreceiving component is no different from the design of a new storagespace, it is difficult to add a new receiving component to aconventional refrigerator while maintaining the volume of the storagespace that is already designed.

DISCLOSURE Technical Problem

The present invention is intended to solve the above-described problemswith a conventional refrigerator.

An embodiment of the present invention is intended to provide areceiving unit capable of minimizing the amount of space required forinstallation and a refrigerator including the receiving unit.

An embodiment of the present invention is intended to provide areceiving unit provided in a partition wall, configured to isolatestorage spaces from each other, so as to provide additional storagespace without reducing the size of a predetermined space for receivingstorage objects, and a refrigerator including the receiving unit.

An embodiment of the present invention is intended to provide arefrigerator designed to facilitate manipulation of a door for openingand closing a receiving unit and to minimize the amount of spacerequired for manipulation of the door, thereby minimizing a reduction inamount of the storage space in the refrigerator.

An embodiment of the present invention is intended to provide areceiving unit designed to provide a door with restoring force so as toopen and close an introduction port of a receiving unit and designed toreduce the speed of movement of a door for opening and closing anintroduction port from the time the door passes over a specific point ofthe introduction port, and a refrigerator including the receiving unit.

An embodiment of the present invention is intended to provide areceiving unit capable of preventing foreign substances from entering atransfer unit for actuating a door and a refrigerator including thereceiving unit.

An embodiment of the present invention is intended to provide areceiving unit including a guide for guiding movement of a door foropening and closing an introduction port of the receiving unit so as toenable the door to be stably actuated and a refrigerator including thereceiving unit.

An embodiment of the present invention is intended to provide arefrigerator in which a door for opening and closing an introductionport of a receiving unit is configured to be moved anteroposteriorly andhorizontally, thereby making it convenient to use the refrigerator.Particularly, the embodiment is intended to provide a refrigeratorhaving an attractive design in which components for guiding orsupporting movement of the door are positioned at a rear side and/oropposite lateral edges of the door.

Technical Solution

In order to achieve the objects, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention, a refrigerator includes a first storage compartmentpositioned at an upper side of a cabinet; a second storage compartmentpositioned below the first storage compartment; a partition wallconfigured to isolate the first storage compartment from the secondstorage compartment upwards and downwards and to have a horizontal uppersurface; a receiver including a receiving space depressed downwards fromthe upper surface of the partition wall and an introduction port formedin an upper portion thereof so as to allow storage objects to beintroduced into the receiving space therethrough; a receiver doorconfigured to be moved in a direction parallel to the upper surface ofthe partition wall so as to selectively open or close the introductionport; and a position holder provided behind the receiver door so as torestrict movement of the door when the receiver door is moved so as toopen the introduction port.

In order to achieve the objects, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention, a refrigerator includes a first storage compartmentpositioned at an upper side of a cabinet; a second storage compartmentpositioned below the first storage compartment; a partition wallconfigured to isolate the first storage compartment from the secondstorage compartment upwards and downwards and to have a horizontal uppersurface; a receiver including a receiving space depressed downwards fromthe upper surface of the partition wall and an introduction port formedin an upper portion thereof so as to allow storage objects to beintroduced into the receiving space therethrough; a receiver doorconfigured to be moved in a direction parallel to the upper surface ofthe partition wall so as to selectively open or close the introductionport; a pair of transfer units, which are respectively provided atlateral side ends of the partition wall so as to guide movement of thereceiver door, the pair of transfer units being configured to providerestoring force when the receiver door is opened and to reduce a movingspeed of the receiver door; and a guide disposed between the pair oftransfer units so as to guide movement of the receiver door.

In order to achieve the objects, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention, a refrigerator may include a first space compartmenthaving a space for receiving therein an object to be refrigerated orfrozen; a second space compartment positioned below the first storagecompartment and having a space for receiving therein an object to berefrigerated or frozen; a partition wall configured to isolate the firstspace from the second space; a receiver including a space depressed fromthe surface of the partition wall so as to receive an object to berefrigerated or frozen; a receiver door configured to be moved in adirection parallel to the surface of the partition wall so as to open orclose the receiver; an elastic-force provider for providing the receiverdoor with restoring force when the door is moved in order to open thereceiver; and a transfer unit including a speed controller for reducinga moving speed of the door when the door is moved to close the receiver.

The transfer units may be provided at opposite lateral ends of thereceiver door so as to face each other.

The receiver may include a receiver body, and may be coupled to an upperportion of the partition wall. The receiver may include an introductionport formed in an upper portion thereof. The receiver door may beconfigured to be moved anteroposteriorly at a position above theintroduction port so as to open and close the introduction port.Accordingly, a direction in which an object is put into and taken out ofthe receiver may be perpendicular to a direction of movement of thereceiver door.

By virtue of the direction of movement of the receiver door, it ispossible to minimize a reduction in the amount of storage space.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigeratormay further include a guide disposed between the pair of transfer unitsso as to guide movement of the receiver door.

The guide may include a roller rotatably secured to the door; and aroller-receiving groove provided in the body in a direction parallel toa direction of movement of the door so as to receive the roller.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigeratormay include a support wall projecting from a surface of the body so asto be parallel to a direction of movement of the door; and a rollerrotatably provided at the door so as to come into contact with thesupport wall.

The refrigerator may further include a cover projecting toward the doorfrom the support wall so as to define a space for receiving a peripheraledge of the door.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigeratormay include a position holder for maintaining a state in which thereceiver door opens the receiver.

The position holder may include a coupling body secured to the receiverdoor; a coupling protrusion provided at one of the coupling body and thepartition wall; and a coupling grab provided at one of the coupling bodyand the partition wall so as to be removably coupled to the couplingbody through engagement with the coupling protrusion. When the couplingbody and the coupling grab are coupled to each other via the couplingprotrusion, movement of the receiver door is restricted. Upon release ofthe coupling, the receiver door may be moved by force applied by a useror elastic restoring force.

The coupling grab may be configured to be repeatedly engaged with thecoupling protrusion and released from the coupling protrusion wheneverexternal force is applied to the coupling grab.

The refrigerator may include a roller rotatably secured to the couplingbody; and a roller-receiving groove provided in the body in a directionparallel to a direction of movement of the door so as to receive theroller, and the coupling body may be disposed between the pair oftransfer units.

The transfer unit may include a support provided in a direction parallelto a direction of movement of the door and secured to one end of theelastic-force provider; a slider, which is movable along the support andis coupled to the door, the slider being secured to a remaining end ofthe elastic-force provider, and the speed controller may include acylinder secured to the support; a piston disposed at one end thereof inthe cylinder and connected at a free end thereof to the slider; and ahead secured to the one end of the piston and disposed in the cylinder.

The transfer unit may include a support secured to the body and to oneend of the elastic-force provider; a transfer space provided in thesupport so as to be parallel to a direction of movement of the door; afirst slider movable in the transfer space; and a second sliderremovably provided at the first slider and connected to the door, thesecond slider being coupled to a remaining end of the elastic-forceprovider, and the speed controller may include a cylinder secured to thesupport; a piston disposed in the cylinder and connected at a free endthereof to the first slider; and a head secured to one end of the pistonand disposed in the cylinder. The second slider may be moved in a stateof being secured to the first slider when the first slider is moved in apredetermined moving range of the free end, and may be separated fromthe first slider when the first slider is moved beyond the predeterminedmoving range of the free end.

An example of the present invention may include a first stopper and asecond stopper, which are provided at the first slider so as to define aspace for receiving the second slider; a first support and a secondsupport, which are provided in the transfer space so as to define amoving path of the first slider; and a height controller configured tolower the first stopper, which is positioned in a direction in which thesecond slider is separated from the first slider, to a position lowerthan the first support and the second support when the free end of thepiston reaches a reference point which is set be a point in the movingrange.

The height controller may include a first projection, which projectsfrom the first slider so as to cause the first slider to be supported bythe first support; a second projection, which projects from the firstslider so as to cause the first slider to be supported by the secondsupport; a first receiving groove disposed at a position lower than thefirst support so as to receive the first projection therein; a secondreceiving groove disposed at a position lower than the second support soas to receive the second projection therein; a first sloped portioninclined downwards toward the first receiving groove from the firstsupport so as to cause the first projection to be positioned in thefirst receiving groove when the free end of the piston reaches thereference point; and a second sloped portion inclined downwards towardthe second receiving groove from the second support so as to cause thesecond projection to be positioned in the second receiving groove whenthe free end of the piston reaches the reference point.

The reference point may be set to a point at which the door ispositioned between a point at which the door begins to close thereceiver and a point at which the door closes the receiver by 50%.

The reference point may be set to a point at which the door ispositioned between a point at which the door closes the receiver by 50%or more and a point at which the door closes the receiver by 90%.

An embodiment of the present invention may further include a first sidewall and a second side wall, which define the transfer space; a firsttransfer groove formed in the first side wall in a direction of movementof the door; a second transfer groove formed in the second side wall ina direction of movement of the door; a first slider guide, whichprojects from the first slider and is fitted into the first transfergroove; and a second slider guide, which projects from the first sliderand is fitted into the second transfer groove.

An embodiment of the present invention may further include an insulatordisposed at a lower surface of the body so as to thermally isolate thefirst space from the second space, and the receiver may be provided inthe insulator.

The features of the above embodiments may also be applied to otherembodiments as long as they are not contradictory or exclusive to theother embodiments.

Advantageous Effects

According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible toprovide a receiving unit capable of minimizing a space required forinstallation and a refrigerator including the receiving unit.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible toprovide a receiving unit provided in a partition wall, configured toisolate storage spaces from each other, so as to provide an additionalstorage space without reducing a predetermined space for receivingstorage objects, and a refrigerator including the receiving unit.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible toprovide a refrigerator designed to facilitate manipulation of a door foropening and closing a receiving unit and to minimize an amount of spacerequired for manipulation of the door, thereby minimizing a reduction inthe amount of storage space in the refrigerator.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible toprovide a refrigerator designed to provide a door having a restoringforce so as to open and close an introduction port of a receiving unit.Furthermore, it is possible to provide a receiving unit configured toreduce the speed of movement of a door for opening and closing anintroduction port from the time the door passes over a specific point ofthe introduction port, and a refrigerator including the receiving unit.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible toprovide a receiving unit capable of preventing foreign substances fromentering a transfer unit for actuating a door and a refrigeratorincluding the receiving unit. Furthermore, it is possible to provide arefrigerator having an attractive appearance in which a receiving unitis mounted so as to be invisible to a user.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible toprovide a receiving unit including a guide for guiding the movement of adoor for opening and closing an introduction port of the receiving unitso as to enable the door to be stably actuated and a refrigeratorincluding the receiving unit.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible toprovide a refrigerator in which a door for opening and closing anintroduction port of a receiving unit is configured to be movedanteroposteriorly and horizontally, thereby making it convenient to usethe refrigerator. Particularly, it is possible to provide a refrigeratorhaving an attractive design in which components for guiding orsupporting the movement of the door are positioned at a rear side and/oropposite lateral edges of the door.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible toprovide a refrigerator in which a door of a receiving unit is maintainedin the open state when a user opens the door, thereby making itconvenient to use the refrigerator.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a refrigerator according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a receiving unit of the refrigerator according to theembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates the receiving unit according to the embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a position holder provided at thereceiving unit shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a transfer unit according to anembodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 illustrate another embodiment of the transfer unitaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention, which isable to specifically achieve the above objects, will be described withreference to the accompanying drawings.

Unless otherwise specially indicated, all terms used in thespecification are identical to general meanings of the terms understoodby a person having ordinary skill in the art. If a term used in thespecification conflicts with the general meaning of the term, themeaning should be understood to comply with the definition noted in thespecification.

It should be noted herein that the construction of an apparatus, whichwill hereinafter be described, and a method of controlling the apparatusare given only for illustrative purposes, and the scope of protection ofthe invention is not limited thereto. Wherever possible, the samereference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to thesame or like parts.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment ofthe present invention, in which a storage compartment door is open.

The refrigerator according to the present invention may be applied toboth a top-mount type refrigerator, in which a refrigerating compartmentand a freezing compartment for storing foodstuffs are isolated from eachother upwards and downwards and the freezing compartment is locatedabove the refrigerating compartment, and a side-by-side typerefrigerator, in which a freezing compartment and a refrigeratingcompartment are isolated from each other right and left.

However, this embodiment will be described with a focus on abottom-freezer type, in which a refrigerating compartment and a freezingcompartment are isolated from each other upwards and downwards and thefreezing compartment is located below the refrigerating compartment, forconvenience of explanation.

The refrigerator includes a case or a cabinet 1, which defines theoverall appearance of the refrigerator when viewed from the outside by auser, and storage compartments 11 and 13, which are defined in thecabinet 1 so as to store foodstuffs.

The refrigerator includes doors 20 and 30 for opening and closing thestorage compartments. The doors may include a freezing compartment door30 and a refrigerating compartment door 20, each of which is rotatablycoupled at one end thereof to the cabinet 1 of the refrigerator via ahinge. Each of the doors 30 and 20 may be composed of a plurality ofdoors. In other words, each of the refrigerating compartment door 20 andthe freezing compartment door 30 may be composed of a pair of doors,which are configured to be opened forwards about opposite lateral sidesof the refrigerator, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

The storage compartments 11 and 13 define insulated spaces, which areisolated from the outside by means of the doors 20 and 30. The storagecompartments 11 and 13 may define insulated spaces, which are isolatedfrom the outside when the doors 20 and 30 close the storage compartments11 and 13. In other words, the storage compartments 11 and 13 may beconsidered as spaces, which are thermally isolated from the outside bymeans of the insulated walls constituted by the doors 20 and 30 and theinsulated wall constituted by the cabinet 1.

Since cold air supplied from a machinery room is introduced into andcirculated in the storage compartments 11 and 13, it is possible tomaintain the foodstuffs stored in the storage compartments at a lowtemperature. In this embodiment, the storage compartment that ispositioned at the upper side of the refrigerator may be referred to as afirst storage compartment. For example, the first storage compartmentmay be the refrigerating compartment. The storage compartment that ispositioned at the lower side of the refrigerator may be referred to as asecond storage compartment. For example, the second storage compartmentmay be the freezing compartment. The first storage compartment may becomposed of a single storage compartment, which is opened and closed bymeans of left and right doors 20, and the second storage compartment maybe composed of a pair of storage compartments, which are isolated fromeach other right and left and are opened and closed by left and rightdoors 30.

The storage compartment 11 may be provided at the bottom thereof with abarrier or a partition wall 15. Specifically, the storage compartment 11may be provided at the lower end thereof with the partition wall 15 soas to isolate the refrigerating compartment from the freezingcompartment. The partition wall 15 may have a predetermined thicknessand may extend horizontally.

The storage compartment 22 may include a shelf 40 on which foodstuffsare placed. The shelf 40 may be composed of a plurality of shelves, onany of which foodstuffs are placed. The shelf 40 may partition theinternal space of the storage compartment horizontally.

The storage compartment may be provided with a drawer 50, which iscapable of being put into or drawn out of the storage compartment 11.The drawer 50 contains foodstuffs and the like. The drawer 50 may becomposed of a pair of drawers, which are positioned at right and leftsides in the storage compartment 12. A user may open the left door inorder to access to the drawer disposed at the left side. Similarly, auser may open the right door in order to access to the drawer disposedat the right side.

The partition wall 15 may be provided with a space for containingfoodstuffs. The space may be referred to as a multi-receivingcompartment or a receiving unit P. The partition wall 15 may beconstructed separately from the doors 20 and 30. Accordingly, thepartition wall 15 may remain in place without moving even when the doors20 and 30 are rotated. Consequently, a user may reliably put foodstuffsinto the storage compartment by virtue of the receiving unit P, or mayreliably take the foodstuffs out of the storage compartment by virtue ofthe receiving unit P.

The storage compartment 11 may be partitioned into a plurality of spacesfor storing foodstuffs, that is, a space positioned above the shelf 40,a space defined by the drawer 50, and the receiving unit P, defined bythe partition wall 15.

The receiving unit P may be depressed downwards from the partition wall15, which defines the lower surface of the storage compartment 11. Inother words, the receiving unit P may be formed by reducing thethickness of the partition wall 15 somewhat. Accordingly, the internalvolume of the storage compartment 11 may be increased by virtue of thereceiving unit P.

Cold air supplied to the storage compartment 11 may be introduced intoall of the spaces defined in the single storage compartment 11.Specifically, since cold air is able to flow among the spaces, thespaces may be considered to be conceptually different from theabove-described storage compartments.

Specifically, unlike the storage compartments which define insulatedspaces, the spaces are not insulated from each other, although there maybe a temperature difference between the spaces.

Cold air supplied to one of the storage compartments cannot flow intoanother storage compartment but can freely flow into any of the spacesdefined in the storage compartment. In other words, cold air, which ispositioned above the shelf 40, may flow into the space defined by thedrawer 50.

The refrigerating compartment door 20 may be provided therein with aplurality of baskets 80. The plurality of baskets 80 may be disposed atdifferent heights from each other, and foodstuffs may be stored in theinternal space defined in the baskets 80.

A gap G may be defined between the upper surface of the partition wall15, that is, the lower surface of the storage compartment 11 and aseparate storage space such as the drawer 50. The gap G is intended toprovide a space for allowing a receiver door, adapted to open and closea receiver to be described later, to be moved therethrough. Accordingly,the gap G may be formed at a height corresponding to the height of thereceiver door having a horizontal plate shape. In other words, the gap Gmay have a height such that only the receiver door can be smoothly movedtherethrough.

Hereinafter, the receiving unit P according to an embodiment of thepresent invention will be described in more detail.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the refrigerator 100 according to anembodiment of the present invention may include the cabinet 1, thestorage compartments, which are provided in the cabinet 1 to provide aspace for receiving storage objects (objects to be refrigerated orobjects to be frozen), and a heat exchange unit for exchanging heat withthe internal air in the storage compartments.

The storage compartments may be provided in a plural number in thecabinet 1. FIG. 2 illustrates an example in which the storagecompartment is divided into the first storage compartment 11 and thesecond storage compartment 13.

When the storage compartment is divided into the first storagecompartment 11 and the second storage compartment 13, the first storagecompartment 11 may be one of the refrigerating compartment and thefreezing compartment, and the second storage compartment 13 may be theother of the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment. Inthis case, the first storage compartment 11 and the second storagecompartment 13 may be separated from each other by means of thepartition wall 15.

Alternatively, the first storage compartment 11 and the second storagecompartment 13 may be formed by dividing one refrigerating compartmentor freezing compartment into two compartments using the partition wall15.

Each of the storage compartments 11 and 13 has to be provided with anopen surface through which storage objects are taken out of the cabinet1. Specifically, the first storage compartment 11 may communicate withthe outside through a first open surface or a first opening 111, and maycommunicate with the outside through a second open surface or a secondopening 131.

The first open surface 111 and the second open surface 131 may beconfigured to be opened and closed by the doors 20 and 30.

However, in the case in which the first storage compartment 11 and thesecond storage compartment 13 are isolated from each other in onerefrigerating compartment or freezing compartment, the first storagecompartment 11 and the second storage compartment 13 may be concurrentlyopened and closed by means of a single door.

The heat exchange unit may include a compressor configured to compressrefrigerant, a condenser configured to cause the refrigerant dischargedfrom the compressor to exchange heat with air outside the cabinet so asto condense the refrigerant, an expansion valve configured to reduce thepressure of the refrigerant discharged from the condenser and anevaporator configured to cause the refrigerant passed through theexpansion valve to exchange heat with air in the storage compartments soas to evaporate the refrigerant. Since the evaporator absorbs heat fromthe air in the storage compartments, the air circulating in the storagecompartments is cooled while passing through the evaporator. By virtueof this procedure, the heat exchange unit is able to control thetemperature of the first storage compartment 11 and the second storagecompartment 13 so as to be lower than the ambient temperature.

The partition wall 15, which divides the internal space of therefrigerator into the first storage compartment 11, that is, the firstspace, and the second storage compartment 13, that is, the second space,is provided with the receiving unit P. The receiving unit P may includethe receiver 4, which is depressed downwards from the partition wall 15so as to define a space for receiving storage objects, and the receiverdoor 5 configured to be moved in a direction parallel to the uppersurface of the partition wall 15.

The receiver 4 may be formed in the partition wall 15 itself, or may beformed in a receiver body 3 coupled to the partition wall 15. When thereceiver body 3 is coupled to an upper portion of the partition wall 15,the receiver body 3 may be made of a material different from that of thepartition wall 15.

Any structure may be considered to be the partition wall 15 as long asthe structure has a predetermined thickness (a length in the heightdirection of the cabinet, that is, a length in the z-axis direction) soas to divide the storage space into two spaces.

When the first storage compartment 11 is one of the refrigeratingcompartment and the freezing compartment and the second storagecompartment 13 is the other of the refrigerating compartment and thefreezing compartment, the partition wall 15 may include an insulator,and the receiver body 3 may define the upper surface of the partitionwall 15.

However, if the first storage compartment 11 and the second storage 13are spaces resulting from the division of a single refrigeratingcompartment or freezing compartment, the receiver body 3 may serve asthe partition wall 15 because there is no necessity to provide theinsulator.

Hereinafter, the case in which the receiver body 3 defines the uppersurface of the partition wall 15 will be described for convenience ofexplanation.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the receiver 4 may be a space that is formedby depressing the surface of the receiver body 3 toward the secondstorage compartment 13. Storage objects may be introduced into thereceiver 4 through an introduction port or opening 41 formed in theupper surface of the receiver 4. The receiver 4 may be positioned at thefront surface of the receiver body 3, which faces the door of thecabinet. In other words, the receiver 4 may be formed in the front sideof the lower surface of the first storage compartment 11.

When the receiving unit P according to an embodiment of the presentinvention is provided at the partition wall 15, an additional componentsuch as the above-described shelf 40 or the drawer 50 may further beprovided above and close to the receiving unit P. In this case, if thegap between the receiving unit P and the additional component is small,a user may easily put a storage object into the receiver 4 or may easilytake the storage object out of the receiver 4 only when the receiver 4is positioned at a front side of the first storage compartment 11.

Specifically, the shelf 40 or the drawer 50 may be disposed above a rearside of the receiving unit P, rather than being disposed directly abovethe receiving unit P. A gap G may be defined between the receiving unitP and the shelf 40 or the drawer 50.

The receiver 4 may be composed of a receiving groove, which isintegrally formed in the receiver body 3, or may be composed of thereceiving groove and a tray, removably coupled to the receiving groove.

In the case in which the receiver 4 is composed of the receiving grooveand the tray, it is possible for a user to take the tray out through theintroduction port 41 and to wash the tray when it is a necessary to washthe receiver 4, thereby providing an effect of enabling the receiver 4to be easily cleaned compared to the case in which the receiver 4 iscomposed only of the receiving groove.

When the receiver body 3 is configured to form the upper surface of thepartition wall 15, there is no need to provide an additional space formounting the receiver 4 because the receiver 4 is embedded in thepartition wall 15.

Specifically, when the receiver body 3 forms the upper surface of thepartition wall 15 and the receiver 4 is positioned in the partition wall15, the receiving unit P according to an embodiment of the presentinvention may be mounted in the storage compartment 11 without reducingthe sizes of the storage compartments 11 and 13, which have limitedinternal spaces. In other words, it is possible to increase the overallinternal space.

That it is possible to mount the receiver 4 without reducing theinternal space in the storage compartments 11 and 13 indicates that itis possible to add space for receiving storage objects without changingthe volume or the number of the components (the drawer, the shelf or thelike), which is mounted in the storage compartments 11 and 13 so as toreceive storage objects. Accordingly, if the receiver body 3 isconfigured to form the upper surface of the partition wall 15 (i.e., thereceiving unit is provided at the partition wall), there is an effect ofmaximizing the efficiency of storage.

The receiver door 5, which is intended to open and close theintroduction port 41 formed in the receiver, may include a door body 51capable of being moved along the surface of the receiver body 3. Thedoor body 51 may be provided with a handle 53.

The receiver 4 is depressed downwards, and the introduction port 41 isformed in the upper surface of the receiver. Accordingly, introductionand removal of foodstuffs through the introduction port 41 is performedvertically. The movement of the receiver door for opening and closingthe introduction port 41 is performed vertically. Accordingly, thedirection of introduction of foodstuffs may be perpendicular to thedirection of movement of the receiver door 5.

Generally, each of the storage compartments 11 and 13 of therefrigerator may be provided with the drawer 50, which is drawn out ofthe storage space so as to receive storage objects, or may be providedwith the shelves 40, which are arranged in a vertical direction and aresecured to the inside of the storage space so as to support storageobjects.

Accordingly, the drawer or the shelf may be provided above the receivingunit P. Here, in the case in which the receiver door 5 is coupled to thereceiver body 3 so as to be rotated toward the drawer or the shelfpositioned thereabove, it is possible to put storage objects into thereceiver 4 or to take the storage objects out of the receiver 4 onlywhen the distance between the receiving unit P and the drawer or theshelf is larger than the radius of rotation of the receiver door 5.

If there is a need to change the height of the drawer or the shelf inorder to mount the receiving unit P, this means that the storage spaceis reduced. Accordingly, the configuration, in which the introductionport 41 of the receiving unit P is opened and closed by means of thedoor body 51, which is capable of being moved in a direction parallel tothe surface of the receiver body 3, is intended to minimize the internalspace required to mount the receiver P.

An embodiment of the present invention may include a position holder orlatch 6 capable of holding the state in which the door body 51 opens theintroduction port 41. The embodiment of the present invention mayinclude transfer units or closers 7 a and 7 b, which provide the doorbody 51 with force capable of moving the door body 51 in conjunctionwith or independently of the position holder 6 in the direction in whichthe introduction port 41 is closed.

The position holder 6 may include a coupling body 61 coupled to the doorbody 51, a coupling protrusion 63 provided at one of the receiver body 3and the coupling body 61, and a coupling grab or coupling retainer 65provided at the other of the receiver body 3 and the coupling body 61 soas to be removably engaged with the coupling protrusion 63. FIG. 3illustrates an example in which the coupling protrusion 63 is providedat the coupling body 61 and the coupling grab 65 is secured to thereceiver body 3.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the coupling body 61 may be provided with acoupling portion 611 into which the door body 51 is fitted. Here, sincethe peripheral edge of the door body 51 is fitted into the couplingportion 611 and is thus secured to the coupling body 61, the couplingbody 61 will be moved in conjunction with the door body 51.

The coupling portion 65 may be configured to be repeatedly engaged withor released from the coupling protrusion 63 whenever external force isapplied to the coupling protrusion 63. FIG. 4B illustrates an example ofthe coupling portion 65 for realizing the above function.

As illustrated in FIG. 4B, the coupling grab 65 may include a firstcoupling grab body 651, secured to the receiver body 3, and a secondcoupling grab body 653, which is disposed in the first coupling grabbody 651 so as to reciprocate therein and is removably engaged with thecoupling protrusion 63.

The first coupling grab body 651 may include a fitting gate 651 f intowhich the second coupling grab body 653 is fitted, a spring 651 a forsupplying elastic force to the second coupling grab body 653, and movingpath sections 631 b, 631 c, 631 d and 631 e, which guide the movement ofthe second coupling grab body 653.

The spring 651 a serves to push the second coupling grab body 653 towardthe fitting gate 651 f.

As illustrated in FIG. 3C, the moving path of the second coupling grabbody 653 may include a first path section 651 b, which extends towardthe bottom surface of the first coupling grab body 651 (in a directionaway from the fitting gate) from the fitting gate 651 f, a second pathsection 651 c, extending toward the fitting gate 651 f from one end ofthe first path section, a third path section 651 d, extending toward thebottom surface of the first body 631 from the second path section, and afourth path section 651 e, extending toward the fitting gate 651 f fromthe third path section 651 d and connected to the other end of the firstpath section 651 b.

Here, the second coupling grab body 653 may include a bar 653 a,rotatably coupled to the second coupling grab body via a shaft 653 b, aprotrusion 653 c, provided at the bar so as to be inserted into the pathsections 651 b, 651 c, 651 d and 651 e, and a first bar 653 d and asecond bar 653 e, which are rotatably coupled to the second couplinggrab body 653 and are exposed to the outside of the first coupling grabbody 651 through the fitting gate 651 f.

Accordingly, when the door body 51 is moved in the posterior directionof the first space 11 (when the door body is moved so as to open theintroduction port), the coupling protrusion 63 moves the second couplinggrab body 653 toward the bottom surface of the first coupling grab body651.

When the second coupling grab body 653 is pushed, the protrusion 653 cis moved along the first path section 651 b and the second path section651 c and is positioned at the connecting point (first point) betweenthe second path section 651 c and the third path section 651 d, and thefirst bar 653 d and the second bar 653 e are rotated toward the couplingprotrusion 63 while interfering with the fitting gate 651 f.Consequently, when the protrusion 653 c provided at the second couplinggrab body is positioned at the first point, the coupling protrusion 63is held on the second coupling grab body 653, and the door body 51 ismaintained in the state of opening the introduction port 41.

In this state, when a user pushes the door body 51 toward the rearsurface of the first space 11 once more, the coupling protrusion 63pushes the second coupling grab body 653, and the protrusion 653 c isthus moved to the connecting point (second point) between the fourthpath section and the first path section 651 b through the third pathsection 651 d and the fourth path section 651 e.

When the protrusion 653 c provided at the second coupling grab body ispositioned at the second point, the coupling protrusion 63 is releasedfrom the second coupling grab body 653. Accordingly, the door body 51 ismoved in the forward direction of the first space 11 by means of thetransfer unit 7 a and 7 b, thereby closing the introduction port 41.

Each of the transfer units 7 a and 7 b may include an elastic-forceprovider or elastic-spring 75 configured to provide the door body 51with restoring force (force capable of moving the door body toward theintroduction port when the external force applied to the door body isreleased) when the door body 51 is moved so as to open the receiver 4.Each of the transfer units 7 a and 7 b may include a speed controller 76for controlling the moving speed of the door body 51 when the door body51 is moved in conjunction with or independently of the elastic-forceprovider 75 so as to close the receiver 4.

The elastic-force provider 75 and the speed controller 76 may beconfigured to directly connect the door body 51 to the body 3, or may beconfigured to connect the support 71 to the slider 77 which is movedtogether with the door body 51, as illustrated in FIG. 5.

The support 71, which is provided in a direction parallel to thedirection of movement of the door body 51 so as to provide the movingpath of the slider 77, may be secured to the receiver body 3.

The slider 77, which is reciprocated in the slider recess 31 formed inthe body 3 in a direction parallel to the direction of movement of thedoor body 51, may include a through hole 771 into which the support 71is inserted, and a door coupler 773 coupled to the door body 51.

The elastic-force provider 75 may be composed of a tensile spring, whichis connected to both the support 71 and the slider 77 so as to providerestoring force capable of moving the door body 51 so as to close thereceiver 4.

Alternatively, the elastic-force provider 75 may be composed of acompression spring. The elastic-force provider 75, which is composed ofthe compression spring, has to be configured to push the slider 77toward the receiver 4, as illustrated in FIG. 5.

Accordingly, the door body 51, which has been moved so as to open thereceiver 4, is moved toward the first opening 111 so as to close thereceiver 4 by means of the elastic-force provider 75 when the couplingprotrusion 63 is released from the coupling grab 65.

If the restoring force provided to the door body 51 by the elastic-forceprovider 75 is excessive, there are risks of the door body 51 beingdamaged due to collision with the receiver body 3 and of a user's handcolliding with the door body 51. The speed controller 76 according to anembodiment of the present invention is able to solve the above-describedproblems by reducing the speed of movement of the door body 51 when thedoor body 51 is moved so as to close the introduction port 41.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the speed controller 76 may include a cylinder761 secured to the support 71, a piston, which is disposed at one endthereof in the cylinder and is connected at the free end thereof to theslider 77, and a head 765 secured to the one end of the piston anddisposed in the cylinder 761.

The speed controller 76 may be configured to increase the extensiondistance of the piston 763 as the door body 51 is moved so as to openthe introduction port 41 (as the coupling protrusion 63 is moved towardthe coupling grab 65).

The speed controller 76, which has the above structure, may reduce themoving speed of the door body 51 when the door body 51 is moved so as toopen the introduction port 41 and the door body 51 is moved so as toclose the introduction port 41.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the transfer units, which have the abovestructure, may be respectively provided at opposite lateral side edgesof the door body 51. The reason for this is to prevent the occurrence ofa problem in which the movement of the door body 51 is stopped becausethe distance of movement of one of opposite lateral ends of the doorbody 51, which are parallel to the direction of movement of the receiverdoor 5, is different from the distance of movement of the other of theopposite lateral ends of the door body 51.

Assuming that a single transfer unit is provided so as to support thecenter of the door body 51, when a user pushes the door body 51 in therearward direction of the first storage compartment 11 at a pointdeviating from the center of the door body 51, the moving distance ofthe left lateral end L may be different from the moving distance of theright lateral end R. If the moving distances of the left and rightlateral ends are different from each other, a problem in which the door51 cannot be moved or in which a lot of force is required to move thedoor body 51 may occur.

However, when the transfer units 7 a and 7 b are respectively providedat the left lateral end L and the right lateral end R of the door body51, it is possible to prevent the above problem in which the door body51 is inclined when a user pushes the door body at a point deviatingfrom the center of the door body 51.

In order to prevent the door body 51 from being slanted, an embodimentof the present invention may further include a guide 8 for guiding themovement of the door body 51.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the guide 8 may further include at least oneof first guides 811 and 813, disposed between the two transfer units 7 aand 7 b, and second guides 842 and 843, which are respectively providedat opposite lateral ends L and R of the door body 51, which is parallelto the direction of movement of the receiver door 5. The guide 8 may beprovided at the center of the receiver door 5 in a lateral direction.

The transfer units 7 a and 7 b are configured to generate elastic forceand/or damping force when the force applied to the receiver door 5 by auser is released. In other words, the transfer units 7 a and 7 b areconfigured not only to guide movement of the receiver door 5 through thetransfer units but also to provide elastic force and/or damping force tothe receiver door 5. However, the guide 8 may be configure so as not toprovide elastic force or damping force to the receiver door 5. In otherwords, the guide 8 may be configured to guide the anteroposteriormovement of the transfer-unit door 50 at the center of the transfer-unitdoor 5 in a lateral direction.

The first guide may include a roller 811, rotatably provided in the doorbody 51, and a roller-receiving groove 813 provided in the receiver body3 so as to receive the roller.

The roller 811 may be disposed at any location on the door body 51, aslong as the roller is disposed between the pair of transfer units 7 aand 7 b. FIG. 3 illustrates an example in which the roller (firstroller) 811 is positioned at the center of the door body 51.

In this case, the first roller 811 may be rotatably secured to thecoupling body 61 positioned at the center of the door body 51, and theroller-receiving groove 813 may be formed by depressing the surface ofthe receiver body 3.

Each of the second guides may include a roller (second roller) 841,rotatably secured to opposite lateral ends L and R of the door body 51,which are parallel to the direction of movement of the receiver door 5,and a support wall 843 provided at one of opposite lateral ends, whichis parallel to the direction of movement of the receiver door 5, so asto support the second roller 841.

The support wall may be composed of a rib projecting from the peripheraledge of the receiver body 3. The support wall 843 may further include acover defining a space for receiving the peripheral edge portion of thedoor body 51.

Since the cover 845 is made of a plate extending toward the door body 51from the support wall 843 so as to support the front peripheral edge ofthe door body 51, the present invention is able to prevent the door body51 from being separated from the receiver body 3 by virtue of the cover845.

FIGS. 6 to 8 illustrate another embodiment of the transfer unitaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. Each of thetransfer units 7 a and 7 b according to this embodiment may include asupport 71 extending in a direction parallel to the direction ofmovement of the door body 51, a transfer space S, which is parallel tothe direction of movement of the door body 51, a first slider 772, whichis movable in the transfer space and is connected to the free end 7633of the piston, and a second slider 778, which is connected to the doorbody 51 and is secured to one end of the elastic-force provider 75.

The second slider 778 is characterized by being separated from the firstslider 772 depending on whether the free end 7633 of the piston passesover a predetermined reference point P2 (see FIG. 8).

The support 71 may include a base 711, secured in a slider recess 31provided in one of opposite lateral ends the receiver body and securedto the body 3 so as to be parallel to the direction of movement of thedoor body 51, and a first side wall 712 and a second side wall 713,which are provided at opposite lateral ends of the base 711 parallel tothe direction of movement of the door body 31 (the x-axis direction).Here, the transfer space S is defined by the base 711, the first sidewall 712 and the second side wall 713.

The transfer space S is provided therein with a first support 716 and asecond support 717, which are spaced apart from each other by apredetermined distance so as to provide the moving path of the firstslider 772. Here, the first slider 772 is positioned between the firstsupport 716 and the second support 717, and is connected to the free end7633 of the piston via a piston coupler 776.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the first slider 772 may include a mountportion 777 in which the second slider 778 is received. The mountportion 777 may be defined by a first stopper 777 a and a second stopper777 b, which are spaced apart from each other so as to receive thesecond slider 778.

The first stopper 777 a may be defined as a stopper, which is positionedin a direction in which the second slider 778 is separated from thefirst slider 772, and the second stopper 777 b may be defined as astopper closer to the free end 7633 of the piston.

The second slider 778 may include a door coupler 778 b coupled to thedoor body 51 and a spring coupler 778 a secured to an end of theelastic-force provider 75.

In the transfer units 7 a and 7 b having the above-described structure,the second slider 778 may be separated from the first slider 772 bymeans of height controllers 716 a, 716 b, 717 a, 717 b, 718 a and 718 b.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8, the height controllers may include afirst projection 718 a (see FIG. 8), which projects from the firstslider 772 so as to cause the first slider 772 to be supported by thefirst support 716, a second projection 718 b, which projects from thefirst slider 772 so as to cause the first slider to be supported by thesecond support 717, a first receiving groove 716 b formed at a positionlower than the first support 716 so as to receive the first projection718 a therein, a second receiving groove 717 b formed at a positionlower than the second support 717 so as to receive the second projection718 b therein, a first sloped portion 716 a inclined downwards towardthe first receiving groove from the first support 716, and a secondsloped portion 717 a inclined downwards toward the second receivinggroove 717 b from the second support 717.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, when the free end 7633 of the piston reachesthe reference point P2, the height controllers move the first projection718 a and the second projection 718 b to the first receiving groove 716b and the second receiving groove 717 b, thereby lowering the firststopper 777 a to a position lower than the first support 716 and thesecond support 717.

Since the first stopper 777 a is the stopper that is positioned in thedirection in which the second slider 778 is separated from the firstslider 772, when the first stopper 777 a is moved to a position lowerthan the first support 716 and the second support 717, the second slider778 is allowed to be separated from the mount portion 777 of the firstslider 772.

Accordingly, when a user pushes the door body 51 in the posteriordirection of the first space 11 (in the negative x-axis direction) suchthat the free end 7633 of the piston passes over the reference point P2,the door body 51 is able to move together with the second slider 778until the coupling protrusion 63 is coupled to the coupling grab 65.

When the coupling protrusion 63 is separated from the coupling grab 65,the door body 51 is moved toward the first slider 772 by means of thesecond slider 778, which is connected to the elastic-force provider 75.At this time, the second slider 778 collides with the second stopper 777b provided at the first slider. Upon collision of the second slider withthe second stopper, the first projection 718 a and the second projection718 b are taken out of the first receiving groove 716 b and the secondreceiving groove 717 b.

When the first projection 718 a and the second projection 718 b aretaken out of the first receiving groove 716 b and the second receivinggroove 717 b, the second slider moves together with the first slidertoward the introduction port 41. At this time, since the first slider772 is connected to the speed controller 76, an excessive increase inthe moving speed of the door body 51 is prevented.

The reference point P2 may be set to be a point in the moving range P1of the free end 7633 of the piston. FIG. 8 illustrates an example inwhich the reference point P2 is set to be the limiting point of themoving range of the free end 7633 of the piston.

The reference point P2 may be set to be the position of the free end7633 of the piston that is located between the point at which the doorbody 51 begins to close the introduction port 41 and the point at whichthe door body 51 closes the introduction port 41 by 50%.

Assuming that the drawer or the shelf is positioned above the receivingunit P, it is advantageous for the door body 51 to be quickly moved tothe reference point in terms of rapid closing of the introduction port41. The reason for this is because, even when the door body 51 isquickly moved to the reference point, none of the above-mentionedproblems caused by the high speed of the door body 51 occur.

For this reason, the reference point P2 may be set to be the position ofthe free end 7633 of the piston that is located between the point atwhich the door body 51 closes the introduction port 41 by 50% or moreand the point at which the door body 51 closes the introduction port 41by 90%.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, each of the transfer units 7 a and 7 baccording to this embodiment may further include slider guides 791, 793,795 and 797 configured to guide the movement of the first slider 772.

Specifically, each of the slider guides may include a first transfergroove 791, which is formed in the first side wall 712 of the support inthe direction of movement of the door body 51, a second transfer groove793, which is formed in the second side wall 713 in the direction ofmovement of the door body 51, a first protrusion 795, which projectsfrom the first slider 772 and is fitted into the first transfer groove791, and a second protrusion 797, which projects from the first slider772 and is fitted into the second transfer groove 793.

In the above-described embodiments, the position holder 6 is positionedbehind the receiver door 5. A portion of the position holder 6 may bepositioned below the drawer 50 through the gap G. In other words, aportion of the position holder 6 may be positioned below the drawer 50even when the receiver door 5 closes the introduction port 41.

When the receiver door 5 opens the introduction port 41, the receiverdoor 50 may be further moved through the gap G.

Accordingly, the position holder may be a structure, all of which isvisible to a user or only a portion of which is visible to a user. Whena user intuitively pushes the receiver door 5 rearwards, the movement ofthe receiver door 5 may be restricted at a certain moment. Subsequently,when a user intuitively pushes the receiver door 5 rearwards again, themovement of the receiver door 5 may be restricted.

By virtue of these characteristics, it is possible to prevent damage tothe position holder 6. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent areduction in storage space and deterioration of design due to thepresence of the position holder 6. Particularly, when the receiver door5 is made of a transparent material, it is possible to preventdeterioration in design of the receiver door 5 due to the presence ofthe position holder 6.

In the above embodiments, the transfer units 7 a and 7 b may be providedat opposite lateral ends of the receiver door, and may be disposed belowthe receiver door. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a reduction inthe amount of storage space, deterioration in the design of the storagecompartment, and deterioration in the design of the receiver door 5 byvirtue of the transfer units.

In the above embodiments, the receiver door 5 may be easily removed fromthe receiving unit P. Basically, the receiver door 5 may come intocontact with the upper surface of the partition wall due to its ownweight, and may be configured to have a horizontal plate shape so as tobe moved horizontally.

The transfer units 7 a and 7 b and the position holder 6 may beremovably coupled to the rear end of the receiver door 5.

Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 2, each of the transfer units 7 aand 7 b may be provided with the door coupler 773. The position holder 6may be provided with the coupling body 61. The door coupler and thecoupling body may be configured to have a groove shape so as to receivethe receiver door to the rear from the front. Accordingly, as thereceiver door is moved rearwards, the receiver door pushes the transferunits and the position holder rearwards. Similarly, as the transferunits and the position holder are moved forwards, the receiver door ismoved forwards.

When a user moves the receiver door vertically in the state of graspingthe front portion of the receiver door and then pulls the receiver doorforwards, the receiver door can be easily separated from the doorcoupler and the coupling body. Similarly, the receiver door can beeasily coupled to the door coupler and the coupling body through thereverse manipulation.

Accordingly, a user can separate the receiver door 5 and can performcleaning of the receiver door 5 and the receiver 4.

The present invention may be embodied so as to have variousmodifications, and the scope of rights thereof is not limited to theabove embodiments. Accordingly, as long as the modifications thereofinclude the components disclosed in claims, it should be understood thatsuch modifications are considered to fall within the scope of rights ofthe present invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The industrial applicability was described in the Best Mode.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a first storagecompartment; a second storage compartment; a partition wall providedbetween the first storage compartment and the second storagecompartment, and the partition wall having a surface; a receiving spaceformed in the surface of the partition wall, the receiving spaceincluding an introduction port, which is constituted by an opening, toallow objects to be introduced into the receiving space through theopening; a receiver door configured to be moved in a direction parallelto the surface of the partition wall, to an open position, to allowaccess to the opening; and a latch to maintain the receiver door in theopen position.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, the surface of thepartition wall being an upper surface, and wherein the receiving spaceis provided at a front side of the upper surface, and an anteroposteriorlength of the receiver door is greater than an anteroposterior length ofthe opening such that the receiver door covers an entire anteroposteriorlength of the opening.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, whereinthe receiver door is configured to be slidably moved anteroposteriorlyalong the upper surface of the partition wall, and an anteroposteriorlength of the receiver door is smaller than an anteroposterior length ofthe first storage compartment.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 3,wherein a receiving unit is provided at a rear side of the opening. 5.The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the receiver door isconfigured to be moved rearwards through a gap between the upper surfaceof the partition wall and the receiving unit.
 6. The apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the latch comprises: a coupling body secured to thereceiver door; and a coupling protrusion provided at the coupling body;and a coupling retainer provided at the partition wall, so that thecoupling retainer is removably coupled to the coupling body throughengagement with the coupling protrusion; or a coupling protrusionprovided at the partition wall; and a coupling retainer provided at thecoupling body so that the coupling protrusion is removably coupled tothe coupling body through engagement with the coupling retainer.
 7. Theapparatus according to claim 6, wherein the coupling retainer isconfigured to be repeatedly engaged with the coupling protrusion andreleased from the coupling protrusion when external force is applied tothe coupling retainer.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 6, whereinthe latch is provided at a center of the receiver door in a lateraldirection, and the latch provided at least in part behind the receiverdoor.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the latch furthercomprises: a roller rotatably secured to the coupling body; and aroller-receiving groove provided in the partition wall behind thereceiving space in a direction parallel to a direction of movement ofthe receiver door so as to receive the roller and to guide movement ofthe roller.
 10. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprisingat least one closer for guiding movement of the receiver door, eachcloser including an elastic spring for providing restoring force to thereceiver door when the receiver door is moved to open the opening. 11.The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the at least one closerincludes closers provided at opposite lateral ends of the receiver door.12. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising guidesprovided between the closers, the guides including a respective guideprovided at the opposite lateral ends of the receiver door so as toguide anteroposterior movement of the door.
 13. The apparatus accordingto claim 10, further comprising: a support wall projecting upwards froman upper surface of the partition wall, the support wall extendinganteroposteriorly so as to be parallel to a direction of movement of thereceiver door; and a roller rotatably provided on the receiver door soas to roll along the support wall.
 14. The apparatus according to claim10, each elastic-spring having a first end and a second end; whereineach of the closers comprises: a support provided parallel to adirection of movement of the receiver door and secured to the first endof the elastic spring; and a slider movable along the support andcoupled to the receiver door, the slider being secured to the second endof the elastic spring.
 15. The apparatus according to claim 14, whereineach of the closers or includes a speed controller for reducing a movingspeed of the receiver door when the receiver door is moved to close theopening, the speed controller comprising: a cylinder secured to thesupport; a piston provided in the cylinder, the piston having a pistonfirst end and a piston second end, and the piston second end connectedto the slider; and a head secured to the piston first end, and the headprovided in the cylinder.
 16. The apparatus according to claim 10,wherein each of the closers comprises: a support secured to thepartition wall and secured to a first end of the elastic spring; atransfer space provided in the support so as to be parallel to adirection of movement of the receiver door; a first slider movable inthe transfer space; and a second slider removably connected to the firstslider, the second slider connected to the receiver door, and the secondslider being coupled to a second end of the elastic spring.
 17. Theapparatus according to claim 16, wherein each of the closers includes aspeed controller for reducing a moving speed of the receiver door whenthe receiver door is moved close the receiving space, the speedcontroller comprising: a cylinder secured to the support; a pistonhaving a piston first end and a piston second end, the piston providedin the cylinder and the piston second end coupled to the first slider;and a head secured to the piston first end and provided in the cylinder,wherein the second slider is moved in a state of being secured to thefirst slider when the first slider is moved in a predetermined movingrange of the first end of the elastic-spring, and is separated from thefirst slider when the first slider is moved beyond the predeterminedmoving range.
 18. The apparatus according to claim 17, furthercomprising: a first stopper and a second stopper, which are provided onthe first slider so as to define a space for receiving the secondslider; a first support and a second support, which are provided in thetransfer space so as to define a moving path of the first slider; and aheight controller configured to lower the first stopper, which ispositioned in a direction, relative to the second stopper, in which thesecond slider is separated from the first slider, to a position lowerthan the first support and the second support when the piston second endreaches a reference point, which is set be a point in the predeterminedmoving range.
 19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein theheight controller comprises: a first projection, which projects from thefirst slider so as to cause the first slider to be supported by thefirst support; a second projection, which projects from the first sliderso as to cause the first slider to be supported by the second support; afirst receiving groove provided at a position lower than the firstsupport so as to receive the first projection therein; a secondreceiving groove provided at a position lower than the second support soas to receive the second projection therein; a first sloped portioninclined downwards toward the first receiving groove from the firstsupport so as to cause the first projection to be positioned in thefirst receiving groove when the piston second end reaches the referencepoint; and a second sloped portion inclined downwards toward the secondreceiving groove from the second support so as to cause the secondprojection to be positioned in the second receiving groove when thepiston second end reaches the reference point.
 20. An apparatuscomprising: a first storage compartment; a second storage compartment; apartition wall provided between the first storage compartment and thesecond storage compartment, and the partition wall having a surface; areceiving space formed in the surface of the partition wall, thereceiving space including an introduction port, which is constituted byan opening, to allow objects to be introduced into the receiving spacethrough the opening; a receiver door configured to be moved in adirection parallel to the surface of the partition wall, to an openposition to allow access to the opening; a pair of closers, which arerespectively provided at lateral side ends of the partition wall so asto guide movement of the receiver door, the pair of closers beingconfigured to provide restoring force when the receiver door is openedand to reduce a moving speed of the receiver door, and the restoringforce exerting force to move the receiver door closed; and a guideprovided between the pair of closers so as to guide movement of thereceiver door.